4 on its debut in early September, matching the chart placing of Richard's previous two studio albums.

In Germany, "It Has to Be You, It Has to Be Me" was released as a single instead, and reached number 36 in a five-week chart run.

[10] Late in November, "Little Town" was lifted from the album to become Richard's first Christmas song to be released as a single.

The following year he released Good News, his first album of traditional gospel songs.

"[11] The track "Thief in the Night" was originally recorded by Christian trio Nutshell on their 1979 album Believe It or Not.

Richard also went on to record an orchestral version of the song with the London Philharmonic Orchestra for his 1983 live album Dressed for the Occasion and later included it on his 1985 CCM compilation album Walking in the Light.

Billboard magazine in 1982 gave a positive albeit brief review of the album, saying "Richard has made some of the best pop singles of recent years, and several cuts here are worthy to join that list."

It went on to describe the album as "[continuing] the pattern of his recent LPs, concentrating on sleek, buoyant pop tracks that bristle with excitement.